GREECE Flashcards
What seas surround Greece?
- the Aegean to the east
- Ionian to the west
- Libyan to the south of Crete
What does the term grand cru mean in the world of Greek wine?
Applies to certain sweet wines, made via the VDN process sourced from select vineyards of a given region, typically from higher elevation sites.
What is Mavroudi?
Generic term for unknown red grapes (mavro means black) but also the name of an indigenous variety
Describe the general climate of the Cyclades.
The hottest and driest conditions in Greece.. excaberated by relentless winds year round that can mess with fruit set in the spring and increase water stress. The Meltemi in the early fall can stall photosynthesis. **However challenging, the wind is considered essential to balancing the wines and extending the growing season.
So dry that the only source of water is often morning dew and fog
What event changed Thrace’s winemaking fortune?
Tsantali established an outpost in Thrace in the 1990s, providing investment in the area and also lobbying for the creation of a number of PGIs
What does Paleomenos se Vareli mean?
Greek term for PDO PGI and Varietal wines labelled with cava, reserve, or grande reserve - indicating extended oak aging beyond required minimums
Describe Agiorgitiko as a varietal.
ah-yohr-YEE-tee-koh
“St George’s Grape”: red; planted in various places, primarily in Attica and central Peloponnese. The sole variety allowed in the Nemea PDO. One of Greece’s best known varieties - tends to make wines that are deeply colored, full of soft plummy fruit tinged with spice/cocoa.. high acid/high tannin.
What does the term Grand/Grande Reserve apply to in the world of Greek wine? What are the requirements?
For PDO wines only; refers to a min. of oak aging.
Whites: 2 years oak w/ at least 1 in barrel and 6 in bottle. Cannot be aged in barrels larger than 600 liters.
Reds: 4 years age with at least 18 in barrel and 18 in bottle.
Describe Debina as a varietal
Important to Epirus- excels as a sparkling wine and in still forms in high-elevation Zitsa PDO. Drought sensitive. Makes wines that are elegant and refreshing, even if simple, with semi-aromatic noses of green apple and lemon. Low alcohol, generally high acid.
What is the Meltemi?
Greek wind regularly sweeping the Aegean - name loosely translate to “a year of bad weather”. Blows very dry air from the north typically between mid-May and late September. **especially profound affect on Santorini
- strong enough to interfere with tourism, as it can ground planes. Also interferes with photosynthesis as its strong enough to trigger the vine’s stomata to close
What PDO for dry reds is unique in mandating co-fermentation of a red and a white grape?
PDO Paros: min. 35% mandilaria with the balance being monemvasia
Describe Liatiko as a varietal
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Indigenous to Crete. Red; early ripener. Low in tannin and color. Medium acidity w/ pronounced floral aromatics. Notable in Daphnes (flies solo) and in Sitia (blended with Mandilaria).
What does the term asproudi refer to?
In the world of greek wine, a generic term for unknown white grapes.
Describe Athiri as a varietal.
Likely native to Santorini - neutral variety. Widely planted thanks to its drought resistance and ability to provide quality at high crop levels. Medium acid, alcohol, floral and citrus but also neutral toned.
Notable PDOs: Slopes of Meliton, Santorini, Rhodes
Where is Nemea PDO and what is it known for?
Nemea is in the Corinth district, NE corner of the Peloponnese. Large PDO with 17 villages, divided into 3 distinct zones based on altitude. Agioritiko is the main grape and blends with intl varieties, especially cab sauv, are popular
Where is the producer Papagiannakos located and what are they known for?
Papagiannakos is based in Attica, a region known for Retsina and mass production. They have shown the heights of what is possible for both Attica and Savatiano, by focusing on old vines and top shelf techniques. He produces varietal Savatiano that is compelling and age worthy as well as subtle interpretations of Retsina that challenge popular conceptions.
Describe Thrace’s climate.
Mediterranean but some inland areas are more continental. Cool northern winds are blocked by the Rodopi Mtns; warm wet air comes from the Aegean. Significant humidity - botrytis is a concern.
Where is the Drama region?
Macedonia. Forms the eastern border with Thrace - further inland with a continental climate. International varieties dominate here.
Where is Mount Ainos and to what PDO is it important to, and why.
Mount Ainos is the tallest mountain on Cephalonia - it is important to the Robola of Cephalonia PDO, where the finest wines come from the limestone-rich slopes from 400 to 800ft.
What is Nykteri?
Traditional Santorini wine - a full bodied, high alcohol, high acidity, and highly distinctive. The grapes are picked before dawn, pressed within a day and then aged in barrel for a min. 3 months. Sometimes a flor develops.
What does the term Reserve mean in the world of Greek wine?
For PDO wines only: min. oak aging.
Whites: 1 year with at least 6 months in barrel and 3 in btl
Reds: 2 years aging with min 12 in barrel and 6 in bottle
Describe Greece’s general terrain.
70% mountains - 3rd most mountainous country after Switzerland and Austria. There is very little flat terrain -the few existing plains are found in the regions of Thessaly, Sterea Ellada, Macedonia, and Thrace. There are very few lakes and almost no major rivers.
What are the legal requirements for Retsina?
- Can be made anywhere within 15 specific appellations having the right to be listed on the label.
- Must be made exclusively from Savatiano and Roditis
- Sap must come from Aleppo pine trees (pinus halepensis)
- resin must account for .15% to 1% of wine’s final volume
- cannot be labelled with a vintage
What are Achaia’s 4 PDOs? What are their respective grapes and wines?
Patras: 100% Roditis, dry white
Muscat of Patras: 100% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
Muscat of Rio Patras: 100% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
Mavrodaphne of Patras: min 51% mavrodaphne + corinthiaki. Sweet, fortified port-like wines